Dr. David Wilfred Ochan (right) presenting his credentials to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has today December 23, 2022 received credentials of the new Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. David Wilfred Ochan.
During the meeting, Ms Ayorkor Botchwey congratulated Dr. Ochan on his appointment and assuming duties in Ghana.
She welcomed him to the country and assured him of the Government’s commitment to continue collaborating with UNFPA to realise sexual and reproductive health for all.
She stressed that “the Government of Ghana is interested in tackling issues of adolescent pregnancy, maternal mortality and youth empowerment and thus, the Ministry will be committed to supporting the work of UNFPA in Ghana”.
Appreciation
Dr. Ochan thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for its recent assistance in the approval of UNFPA 8th Country Programme (2023–2027), support with the ICPD+25 review processes and the on-going tracking systems with the NDPC.
He also appreciated the strong support provided by the Ministry to UNFPA in Ghana; and in facilitating participation of Ghanaian delegates to international and regional fora organised by UNFPA.
Dr. Ochan noted that UNFPA will continue to invest in promoting the wellbeing of the Ghanaian population through the approved 8th Country Programme. He also extended warm greetings from the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, to the people of Ghana through the Minister.
The new UNFPA Ghana Representative further recognised the support received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past years, describing the Ministry as “being helpful to UNFPA in more ways than one”.
Consequently, he reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment in helping to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices in Ghana.
He observed the need to deepen work in these areas by working with government entities, private sector, faith-based and cultural institutions, and women-and youth-led organisations. He also highlighted opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with a mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
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